Coach Sara’s passion for fitness and exercise started early on, as did her love for horses. Before horseback riding eventually became her #1 sport of choice in high school, she spent eight years splitting her time between gymnastic practice and the barn. After college, Sara explored other aspects of group fitness by joining soccer, volleyball, and softball leagues while living in the Washington, DC, area. Her 30s saw Sara logging in miles pushing a two-child stroller and working to get back into the swing of fitness while balancing family, a demanding professional career, and sanity! In her 40s, Sara discovered the stand-up paddle board (SUP) and raced for several years making the podium in every race. Horses remained the constant, though, and Sara developed a love for off-track thoroughbreds whose big hearts, raw athleticism, and willingness to learn won her over. Being dedicated to teaching and learning partnerships—whether those partners have two legs or four—gives Coach Sara an interesting perspective on the importance of physical fitness, whether it comes to those who are already training or those who are ready to kick off their personal fitness journey at any age. With that perspective, Sara took the leap and, morphing all of her passions into one, started Grand Prix Fitness!

Fun Facts About Coach Sara:

-After a full and successful career teaching, coaching, and leading in public schools across the US, Sara is combining her love of coaching, fitness, and horses to pursue her career in the fitness industry!

-From riding (falling off!) the backyard pony bareback at 4 years old to riding in a fox hunt in Australia on a borrowed horse and wearing borrowed clothes years later, Sara realized early on how important physical fitness is in the equestrian community- endurance and a strong core are needed for everything from hauling water buckets to mounting to galloping a cross country course!

-Sara is a NASM-certified personal trainer with certifications in virtual coaching, stretching (StretchZone), and fitness training (Orangetheory Fitness). Sara also brings a strong background in teaching and learning with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and Speech Communication from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, a master’s degree in Education Leadership, Policy, and Administration from the University of Maryland, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University—that makes for a lot of letters after her name!